Minn. Representatives Announce $10 Million in Grants for Duluth-Superior Port

By
KBJR News 1

September 3, 2013Updated Sep 3, 2013 at 6:48 PM CST

Duluth, MN (NNCNOW.com) --U.S. Representatives announced today that $10 million in grants will go to improve infrastructure at the port of Duluth-Superior.

"We almost didn't make an application this 5th go around," said Adolf Ojard, "after a conversation with Mayor [Don] Ness and his support to make this the sole grant application for the twin ports and Duluth we went a head."

The Duluth Port Authority has been struggling to get Tiger Grant funding for docks C and D, but all the waiting finally paid off.

U.S Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken along with Representative Rick Nolan made the surprise announcement on Tuesday for the grant money.

"This money will permit us to reestablish the integrity of the dock wall with new steel sheet piling as well as improve the dock itself. Add rail infrastructure as well as road access and create a platform that can serve a multitude of industries," said Adolf Ojard.

Some of those industries include mining, steal, and paper.

Rep. Nolan says this is all part of the effort to keep our ports stronger, which includes the effort to ensure the harbor maintenance fund is used for just that.

"Because of the dredging requirements that have gone un–met the business and industry in the Lakers have been operating at about 80 percent of their capacity costing us billions of dollars in very important business revenue and jobs," said Nolan.

This is all official word from Rep. Nolan and Sen. Klobuchar, and has not been made official by the U.S. Department of Transportation as of yet.